Five community members make up Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors. Registered voters elect Board members for terms of four years. The School Board has governance responsibilities in these main four areas: vision, accountability, structure and advocacy. The School Board believes that effective public school education must be directed toward common needs of all children, but must also consider the unique differences and needs of individual children. The School Board directors are members of the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) and follow their Code of Governance. Although it provides overall governance of the district, the Board employs and empowers a professional staff of administrators led by the Superintendent to carry out the district's daily operations and pursue short- and long-term goals.

Community engagement is a vital part of our school district's success. Community members who have feedback or concerns for the school district (regarding operations) or School Board (regarding policy) are encouraged to contact the person closest to the situation first in order to have their issue addressed most effectively and efficiently. Click here to learn whom to contact and how.

The School Board is committed to open governance and transparent communication that includes listening to stakeholders of students, staff, parents/families and community members. The Board provides several options for listening to community members:

Submit positive feedback or concerns online to the School Board's Listening Post by clicking here. Use this communications method as a sounding board when no response is required. The Board reviews postings weekly.

Attend a School Board meeting and address the Board during the time allotted for public comment. Use this communications method as a sounding board when no response is required.

Submit a written letter to the School Board, 1306 Dupont Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Contact the Superintendent at 676-6501, who serves as the community liaisons for the Board. Use this communications method when two-way communications are desired.